A gripping exercise in body horror and social paranoia, prolific Canadian director David Cronenberg's debut feature offers a startling look at modern isolationist society with a parasitic twist. When a scientist experimenting with a new… MoreA gripping exercise in body horror and social paranoia, prolific Canadian director David Cronenberg's debut feature offers a startling look at modern isolationist society with a parasitic twist. When a scientist experimenting with a new form of organ transplants kills a young female resident of a fortress-like apartment complex before subsequently committing suicide, the investigation into her death leads to a frightening discovery. Originally conceived by the misguided scientist in a bid to aid organ transplant, an overzealous parasite quickly escapes into the complex in search of a host. One by one, the unsuspecting residents fall prey to the parasite, and the result is an aggressive horde of sex maniacs who will stop at nothing to satisfy their primal lust and pass the infection on through sexual contact. When the resident doctor learns the sinister truth behind the malevolent creation, only one man stands between an apartment complex overflowing with id-driven zombies and the outside world. Will he be able to stop the rapidly spreading parasite before it escapes into society, or is it only a matter of time until he, too, falls prey to its rapturous effects and gives in to the temptations of the flesh? ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Pretty gruesome and quite disturbing. Only in the 70's would they have made a movie about what pretty much amounts to sex zombies.
I don't think it… MorePretty gruesome and quite disturbing. Only in the 70's would they have made a movie about what pretty much amounts to sex zombies.
I don't think it would work as a modern film, and I'm not entirely sure it works here either, but it is interesting and has that 70's thing going for it.

Early Cronenberg, much better than his more recent projects I find. It?s disturbing and a little ridiculous but I love it. Who else could make a film about… MoreEarly Cronenberg, much better than his more recent projects I find. It?s disturbing and a little ridiculous but I love it. Who else could make a film about zombie rapists and get away with it!?

David Ladd

The basic premise of the movie is that a parasite has been released into an apartment complex (called Starliner) on an island in Quebec. The idea of a sexual… MoreThe basic premise of the movie is that a parasite has been released into an apartment complex (called Starliner) on an island in Quebec. The idea of a sexual violence-inducing disease is a familiar Cronenberg theme and one that he repeats in his later movie Rabid. The plot is pretty straight forward; the parasite spreads via sexual contact, passing from mouth-to-mouth. Those infected immediately develop a voracious and violent sexual appetite, thus spreading the parasite further.
I think Cronenberg was making a statement about the time during which the movie was made. There was something he wanted to say about the dark side of the sexual revolution which was in full swing in the early 70's. A line spoken late in the film by one of the main characters seems to sum it up; she's describing a dream she's had in which she's having sex with an old, dying man. She's having trouble because he's old, sick and smells bad, and in the dream the man says to her that all flesh is erotic flesh, that every act is an erotic act, whether it's breathing, eating, or even dying. Merely existing is to be sexual. Even disease is nothing more than the love of two alien species for one another. In other words, those infected by this parasite/disease/mentality (the three are all the same in this film) are entirely consumed with self-gratification, even at the extreme expense of others. This was certainly a prevalent attitude of the 70's and even 80's; there's a reason why that generation was frequently referred to as the "Me Generation."
Another interesting point about this movie is how much of it was later lifted for Alien. Dan O'Bannon, the writer of Alien, admitted to having seen Shivers (at least according to the interview with Cronenberg included on the DVD). Like the alien, the parasites jump on people's faces, burn their way into the body when necessary but prefer to enter through the mouth, take up residence in the stomach, etc. Even the name of the apartment complex, Starliner, is reminiscent of the setting for Alien on the starliner Nostromo. There's clearly a good deal of influence here.
I'm a Cronenberg fan, so I may be a bit biased here, but I'd definitely recommend this movie. One can already see foreshadowings of Cronenberg's other films, especially Videodrome and to some degree ExistenZ in it. While Shivers may be a bit outdated in some ways now (especially in the wardrobe department!) and not nearly as polished as Cronenberg's later work, I think it generally has held up well. Like all of his films, however, there are some extremely disturbing scenes in this one, at least for some viewers -- in this case involving cannibalism, sexual behavior and incest, not to mention rape -- that might be just a little bit difficult to stomach for some but to sum up this film is well worth looking at if your a fan of the genre.

Carlos Magalh„es

It is hard to see what Cronenberg had in mind when he concocted this repellent film full of sexism and misogyny about fear of sexuality, as it only seems to… MoreIt is hard to see what Cronenberg had in mind when he concocted this repellent film full of sexism and misogyny about fear of sexuality, as it only seems to suggest that uncontrolled sexual desires lead to people becoming irrational rapists prone to pedophilia and incest.

Ken Stachnik

A rape-atorium of a movie. Imagine Night of the Living Dead, but with sex-ed up Canadians instead of Zombies. The film VERY watchable. The story is told well,… MoreA rape-atorium of a movie. Imagine Night of the Living Dead, but with sex-ed up Canadians instead of Zombies. The film VERY watchable. The story is told well, the acting is mostly acceptable, and it's sprinkled with nudity.
It is however, hideously shot. I've seen alcoholics that were better lit than this movie. All the hard, double and TRIPLE shadows make the whole thing looks like it was lit with halogen work lamps. I can only assume there was no diffusion in Canada at the time this film was shot.

Cassandra Maples

Before he became a respected director, upon the release of classics such as The Fly and Videodrome, David Cronenberg was the director of cheap little films such… MoreBefore he became a respected director, upon the release of classics such as The Fly and Videodrome, David Cronenberg was the director of cheap little films such as Rabid and this one; Shivers. Of the two movies mentioned, Shivers is certainly the weakest of the two, but then again it was also the earliest, so budget constraints are more likely to have been a bigger problem and it was also made before Cronenberg was a fully fledged professional. While the film is lacking in many elements that are needed to make a successful film, things such as coherency and interesting characters, it does feature lots of horror, and that just about pulls it through. Obviously, due to the man in the director's chair, it's not a straight horror and the film focuses primarily on the psychological terror of changes occurring in one's body, and although Cronenberg explored this idea much better in films such as the aforementioned The Fly and Videodrome, along with other films such as The Brood and Dead Ringers, he doesn't do a bad job here.
The film is halfway between a zombie flick and an alien film such as Invasion of the Body Snatchers, and it certainly could have been a lot better if it had been more professionally handled. The film is typical of this type of movie in the seventies as it is cheap looking and the camera work, lighting and other techniques aren't exactly high quality either. None of the cast stands out, and the acting is terrible on the whole. Still, these things are part and parcel of this sort of movie and personally, I quite like it. The movie is very much of the 'schlock' persuasion, and the way it fuses a fast paced plot with sex and violence will ensure that fans of that type of film will be happy. The creature effects in the film aren't very spectacular, but at least they look real enough not to simply look stupid. Some of the images that Cronenberg presents to his audience are shocking, and a lot of the fans of this movie no doubt will be so for that reason. Personally though, I just like it.

A.D. Villarreal

Take 28 Days Later but instead of rage infected crazy British people you get parasite infected horny Canadians.
It breaks down like this:
An insane doctor… MoreTake 28 Days Later but instead of rage infected crazy British people you get parasite infected horny Canadians.
It breaks down like this:
An insane doctor implants a parasite into the local slut who in turn infects others with it. The parasite causes a person to experience an extreme form of wanton lust and what you wind up with are zombie-like residents who really, really like you.
Alot.
It may sound goofy but David Cronenberg (his first major film) handles the material seriously and maturely which makes for an exceptionally creepy film.

Alex roy

David Cronenberg has always managed to deliver some truly standout films. Each film he has directed has had a profound impact on the horror genre, and he has… MoreDavid Cronenberg has always managed to deliver some truly standout films. Each film he has directed has had a profound impact on the horror genre, and he has managed to become one of the most exciting directors of the body horror genre. With Shivers, being the first film by Cronenberg he gives us a few hints of what would come later in his career. What is delivered here is a well crafted horror film that boasts some great performances from its cast and has a well written script. Shivers is an impressive debut from Cronenberg and you can clearly see his ideas already coming to fruition that would be standout through his films. Shivers was where it all started from Cronenberg, and it's a fine body horror film. Using a disease as a plot device, Cronenberg crafts a film that is horrifying in the way that it's made, and it is a prime film in the early body horror films that Cronenberg would come to be known for. The story here is entertaining and it's sure to please Cronenberg and body horror fans. I've seen many of Cronenberg's films, and for a debut film, Shivers shows the confidence of a director who knows how to go to the extreme in terrifying an audience. This is a well made horror film, one that should be seen by any Cronenberg fan. Though not as great as his later work, Shivers still ranks as a very good film from the master of the body horror genre. The scares here abound as Cronenberg uses paranoia, diseases and the human body to create something truly terrifying, and in the end, it works on so many levels.

Tim Salmons

I didn't find this movie all that appealing. It's pretty boring most of the time and takes itself way too seriously.

Curtis Lilly

One of Cronenberg's best movies, which isn't saying a lot. About a bunch of 'sex crazed' genetically engineered parasite hosts, who… MoreOne of Cronenberg's best movies, which isn't saying a lot. About a bunch of 'sex crazed' genetically engineered parasite hosts, who basically just hold each other wearing full clothing and puke worms into each other's mouths. Fun to see, but no replay value.

Pierluigi Puccini

The perverse king of venereal horror started his long career with this disturbing and enjoyable low budget freak show. A glimpse of what was yet to come.